When my reversing camera gets a drop of water on the lens - it's buggered .

Submitted: Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 08:35
ThreadID: 55033 Views:2910 Replies:8 FollowUps:12
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It is like looking around underwater without a mask .

I guess I will have to make a small cowl for it and the one on my van too . Does anybody have any clever ideas about what to make this out of ?

Thanks ,

Willie .
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Reply By: traveller2 - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 08:47

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 08:47
Willie the cowl won't stop it as the slipstream/vacuum as you travel along sucks the moisture back onto the lens.
I applied Rain-X to the lens, a couple of good coats letting it dry between applications makes a big difference.
Unfortunately though you will still have to wipe it occasionally to get the muck off.
The Rain-X stops the water beading and geting that fisheye effect.
The other thing I've seen done is put a second squirter on the rear window washer to spray the lens.
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Follow Up By: Crackles - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 09:36

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 09:36
"put a second squirter on the rear window washer to spray the lens" I may have missed something but wouldn't that just end up with more water on the lens ? ;-))
Have seen a couple of wagons fit the camera inside the glass so the rear window wiper can always keep the view clear.
Cheers Craig.....
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Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:03

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:03
I use 'Rain-X' on mine. It allows the water to bead and run off.
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Reply By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:21

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:21
Traveller2 and Derek

I think I will make a cowl anyway , but use the "Rain-X"as well .
Do I get this "Rain-X" at a supermarket or is it only available from auto shops ?
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Craig - nice idea thanks . Mine camera is angled down a lot to let me park , and I don't think I could get that angle with it inside . Worth a look though .
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I still need some clever ideas for a cowl though . Where's Dusty when you need him !

Thanks ,

Willie .
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:46

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:46
What about the lid off a spray can for your cowl?
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Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:47

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 11:47
What about setting up an air solenoid (from an ARB air locker) and have a air line pointed at the lense?

Obviously this only works if you have an air locker or at least a compressor plumbed up that you can add a "T" piece into with another outlet.

I haven't had any issues with water really; it hasn't rained in SA for 13 years anyway!!! haha
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 21:10

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 21:10
Roachie ,
You have not let me down .A tad impractical , but it's a gadget and I love it .
Thanks ,
Willie .
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 23:02

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 23:02
G'day Willie,
Not all that impractical I would have thought.
I see from your profile that you already have air lockers front and back, so you already have a compressor and some plumbing.
All you need to do is run a suitable air hose from another outlet on the compressor (via a "T" piece if necessary), down to the back of the vehicle. Incorporate another ARB solenoid with a momentary contact (eg: press button, like an old fashioned starter button from days gone by) and have the plastic hose terminating onto the lense. A quick blast of air pressure whenever needed and bob's ya uncle.
The caravan is gunna involve more plumbing etc, but could also be done.

I guess I'm sort of spoilt as I have air lines running from front to back on my rig and it wouldn't take any effort at all to install this idea on the Patrol.
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Follow Up By: mowing - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 23:30

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 23:30
I think that this is a good idea as the buses over here use an air system to clear the side view mirrors that get rain on them. There is an air line that has slits along the side of the mirror and one push of the button and a blast of air goes across the mirror.
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 12:09

Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 12:09
just watch the compressed air is not coming out too cold and cracking the lens.
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Reply By: Member - Ian W (NSW) - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 16:22

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 16:22
Willie,

You can on occasion get Rainex at the better auto accessory shops. I get mine from Whitworths Nautical World or Bias Boating Marine.

From memory your located in the Ryde area so Whitworths on Victoria Road at Rozelle would probably be the handiest. Should you in Parramatta check out Bias Boating Marine, Barney St. Nth. Parra. Down by the Gaol.
Might be worth giving them a call first as on one occasion I found nil stock.
Regards,

Ian
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 21:12

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 21:12
Ian ,
I will give Whitworth's a ring , as I like to wander through the stainless steel shop at Drumoyne while I'm there .

Thanks for that info ,

Willie .
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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 23:09

Friday, Feb 29, 2008 at 23:09
A teeney weeney windscreen wiper????

Andrew
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Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 09:08

Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 09:08
Automatic "rip-off" machine might do the job too ! I will keep my out for one and also the teenie weenie wipers . If I had them both , I vould rule ze world .

Thanks Andrew ,

Willie .
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Follow Up By: howie - Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 12:40

Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 12:40
what about those joke spectacles with little windscreen wipers?
adapt one of these beauties and also have a spare unit!

or fit a hiclone either side of the camera to reduce turbulence and keep the spray off (oops, another joke)
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Reply By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 09:12

Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 09:12
Actually , what I should use , is what they use on the cameras on Formula 1 cars .

This moves a clean plastic cover across the lens when the old one is dirty . This would be perfect .

Roachie , how come you do not have one of these ?

Willie .
AnswerID: 290197

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 10:32

Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 10:32
I'll work on it for ya mate......hahaha ;-))
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 12:10

Saturday, Mar 01, 2008 at 12:10
the F1 drivers have peel off plastic layers on their helmet visors too - just peel off the next layer when it gets too hard to see through.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:02

Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:02
Hi Willie

Our el cheapo Hong Kong eBay camera didn't mind rain, but if it got condensation inside the lens, this screwed off easily to be wiped clean.

Motherhen
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AnswerID: 290603

Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:40

Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:40
Mrs Hen ,

I have not had any condensation in the camera - just droplets on the glass lens .

Cheers ,

Willie .
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